Dearborn Leaf Collection Begins on October 20th

DEARBORN, Michigan – As leaves begin falling in large numbers, Dearborn residents are reminded of the convenient ways the City of Dearborn offers to dispose of them.

The preferred method is for residents to put their leaves in approved yard waste paper bags or approved 20-32 gallon containers labeled as yard waste. The containers or paper bags should be put on the easement by 7 a.m. for pickup each week on residents’ trash day. By putting bagged or containerized leaves on the easement for pickup on trash days, residents can count on their leaves being taken away each week. And, using this method, residents do not need to remember a sometimes complicated schedule for loose leaf collection. Leaves in plastic bags or in cardboard boxes will not be picked up.

Put your leaves in bags or approved containers on your trash day to ensure pick up every week. In contrast, loose leaf collection may only occur in a neighborhood two times during the season. Loose leaf collection takes place on a neighborhood’s trash day during a non-recycling week, but it may take several non-recycling weeks to complete a whole district.

Alternative method: Loose Leaf Collection

Collection of leaves that are raked into the street is scheduled to begin the week of Oct. 20 and end the week of Dec. 1, with the last pick up on Saturday, Dec. 6. Weather conditions may alter that timeline. Leaves raked into the street are not picked up every week. Crews aim for two pickups during the season in every neighborhood.

Leaves that are raked in the street are picked up on a neighborhood’s Public Service Day/trash collection day during the non-recycling week; but, note that there will not be a leaf pickup every time your neighborhood is on a non-recycling week. Leaves in the street may only be picked up twice in every neighborhood during the season. However, use the non-recycling week as a guideline. Only rake leaves into the street on the day before your trash is picked up on a non-recycling week. For instance, if you’re recycling on the “A” schedule, your leaves could be picked up during the “B” week. If you’re recycling on a “B” schedule, your leaves could be picked up during the “A” week. It may take several weeks to complete a whole Public Service Day/trash Schedule beginning Oct. 20

On Monday, Oct. 20, crews will be in neighborhoods with Monday trash collection and an “A” week recycling schedule. On Tuesday, Oct. 21, crews will be in neighborhoods with Tuesday trash collection and an “A” week recycling schedule. Note they may not finish the whole section on that day. The pattern will continue through Friday, Oct. 24.

On Monday, Oct. 27, crews will be in neighborhoods with Monday trash collection and a “B” week recycling schedule. On Tuesday, Oct. 28, crews will be in neighborhoods with Tuesday trash collection and a “B” week recycling schedule. The pattern will continue for “B” week districts through Oct. 31.

Crews may not be able to pick up all the loose leaves in a neighborhood on the designated Public Service Day/trash collection day. They will return to that section on the next trash day that is on a non-recycling week. When they return to the area, they will pick up where they left off.

In order to reduce danger, Dearborn resisdents are asked not to rake leaves into the street too early. Raking leaves into the street too soon leads to dangerous driving conditions. Leaves also may blow around the neighborhood. Contractors paid by residents to rake leaves must follow the same rules. In addition, vehicles must be removed from the streets from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a neighborhood’s Public Service Day. Following this process makes it easier for crews to pick up leaves and keeps streets clean and safe.